How About the AL MVP Race?
September 24, 2007 by Geoff Young
Filed under Awards
{democracy:20}
We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the National League MVP race, while perhaps neglecting the AL side. It feels, at times, like a one-man race, but is it?
ESPN’s Jayson Stark assembled a list of key contenders a few weeks ago, and most of ‘em make sense (not sure about David Ortiz this year, and he’s a little too excited about J.J. Putz for my taste), although my personal opinion is that the real battle here is for second place. Then again, the writers are full of surprises, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Who do you like, and why?
This is my first time at your blog, after reading your excellent article about the 1973 draft, and I am enjoying it. Keep it up!
Just out of curiosity, why did you decide to have Victor Martinez as an option, rather than Jorge Posada? They are very comparable as candidates, and I would have listed both or Jorge if I had to choose one. As I see it:
Victor’s positives are that he has more PAs, his team won more games than predicted by run differential (resulting in more win shares), he hit into fewer DP’s (17 – 15), and he hit better in close and late situations. Fielding is close, but nobody votes for Victor because he is a good fielder.
Jorge’s positives are everything else: more runs created; higher OPS+ (160 – 132); more games caught; tougher schedule (better opponents from unbalanced schedule); and better in other clutch situations (had a .459 OBP leading off inning).
ARod is still my choice.
Awesome, thanks for stopping by and saying hey! You’re right about Posada. I went real quick and dirty in compiling my list and used only win shares, where Martinez enjoys a 30-21 lead. It’s not the best method, and I probably should have included both players.
Glad you enjoyed the ‘73 draft article also.
AL MVP RACE belongs to only one name and that would be A-ROD, no doubt of him who hit his carrer high 156 RBI’s this season and leads the MLB. He also leads the Majors with 54 HR and 143 Runs, he is at top 15 at AL hitters with .314 ave. and 183 hits and number 4 in OBP with .422 ave.
Excuse me if I’m wrong here but an MVP is the guy who is most responsible for his teams success right?
Yankmees get the wild card, Sox win the division. Without Lowell the Sox are sunk!!